We are New Mexico's FIRST VEX Robotics team to compete in the VEX Robotic Competition World Championships. Our team has 20 students in grades 6-8. Read about our experiences and help support us by using the donation button below. Your tax-deductible donation will go to supporting the future Scientists and Engineers of New Mexico!

Sunday, February 16, 2014

Las Cruces!

To our devoted fans,

Sorry we did not live blog as promised yesterday while at the State Championship in Las Cruces. We were not able to access the wifi and without that, it was incredibly challenging to use our technology. Besides, with 13 teams competing and each of our teams in 6 matches, we were really running around without much time for keeping you updated--sorry!

The Octobots and Syntax Errors were phenomenal yesterday, well beyond their point-scoring capabilities. As in all competitions, they overcame robot and programming malfunctions to really be their best selves on and off the playing field.

Each team played 6 qualifying matches and in the last two, we were opposing each other! After the qualifying round, the Syntax Errors advanced to 3rd place and were geared up for the quarterfinals. The Octobots were not in the top 6 but were chosen to participate in the quarterfinals with another charter team from Gallup,NM. The final scores for the day can be found here.

We know that VEX competitions are about so much more than numbers on a scoreboard. Our students were amazing in meeting other teams, finding out about their robots and cheering on everyone. One Las Cruces team arrived with all of their components still boxed up. Our students rushed to their aid and ultimately Aidan, Morgan, Kabira and Sara worked with them to have a functioning robot just about when matches began--kudos to them! Competitions also provide students opportunities to advocate for themselves and others. During one of the Syntax Errors' final matches we felt a rule had been violated. Sara, Kabira and Eden were able to look up the official rule and boldly strode up to the head official to use evidence to support their claim. He heard them and was sure to tell the other officials about the rule for the remaining matches.

The awards ceremony was a bit tense, with all of the excitement about sending two teams to Worlds this year. Alas, we were not selected, but our friends at ASK Academy in Rio Rancho were as well as a kind team from Carlsbad. Best of luck to those teams as they head off on their adventure.

Although the competition was full of excitement, lunch may have been the most joyous. NMSU supported the event by providing a meal ticket to all of our students and our adult chaperones. If you want to encourage middle and high school students to attend university, take them to an all-you-can-eat cafeteria with fresh ingredients and a waffle bar! We were all well-fed, courtesy of the University, and for that we were very grateful.

While photos are forthcoming from the day's events, you can actually see some of our students in the Las Cruces Sun! Check out Aidan B and Liam (and Aidan's dad, Kent) in a still photo and Reina, Sevilla and Jack in the last video.

Keep checking back, or subscribe through your email using the button to the right. Photos are coming as will be information on how the end of our season unfolds.

Thank you to all of you for your support this season!
~The Syntax Errors & The Octobots

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Year Two

We have started our new year already. Starting to build and brainstorm new ideas for the robot! We hope to have another successful and fun year!

Maintaining a robotics program is no small feat and with our success from last year we anticipate our program will grow. You can help support this years and next years team by donating using the PayPal button below.

Thanks!~The Syntax Errors & The Octobots

About MMCS Robotics

We are the Syntax Errors and the Octobots ,middle school robotics teams at a public charter school in Albuquerque, New Mexico. This is our second year with the Syntax Errors and our first with the Octobots.